Carlton Football Club created a community program named Carlton Respects. By breaking down harmful gender stereotypes and fostering gender equality, this program works to prevent GBV before it starts. Launched to address the rigid expectations of masculinity within the hyper-masculine environment of Australian Rules Football (AFL), the program focuses on educating young children and fostering discussions around harmful stereotypes.
Harriet Cordner, a player for the Carlton Football Club, has been actively involved in the Carlton Respects program since she joined the club in 2023. As such, she and her teammate Dayna Finn have been proactive in bringing their modules directly to primary school aged children. Each of these modules is designed to push back against the narrow definition of what it means to “be a man.” They inspire a new vision of masculinity.
Orange, known around the world as the color used to promote an end to gender-based violence, was the perfect branding for Carlton Respects. In doing so, the program takes on traditional masculinity. Through building healthier mentalities regarding attitudes about gender roles, it seeks to reduce incidences of domestic violence before they start.
Carlton Respects creates a powerful approach by including cultural icons such as Taylor Swift. This transversal approach is a powerful tool to describe in clear and vibrant terms how to break down patterns of gender stereotypes. Painting one’s nails is a form of self-expression. It shouldn’t be stifled by traditional gender roles or seen as a dainty women’s pastime.
“It opens the doors for conversations about that,” – Harriet Cordner
Cordner joined us to discuss the ways these damaging stereotypes play out in sports. She noted, “Whether it’s an obsession with ‘killer instinct’ or normalising violence as a way for men to resolve disputes on the field, these harmful stereotypes result in real consequences for women.” This viewpoint underlines the continued imperative of initiatives like Carlton Respects. These types of programs are incredibly important in male-dominated spaces, where aggression is not only accepted, but can perpetuate dangerous behaviors.
Our Watch’s Changing the Picture also emphasises that rigid gendered stereotyping is a fundamental driver of violence against women. For those condoning violence against women and girls, these attitudes are almost universal,” Patty Kinnersly, chief executive of Our Watch, said.
“We see attitudes that drive violence in male-dominated environments that promote cultures of aggression, dominance, and control,” – Patty Kinnersly
Kinnersly concluded by stressing that these kinds of attitudes are seen everywhere, not just in the world of youth sports. She stated, “These attitudes are present everywhere, including workplaces, community events and sporting organisations.” These assumptions are a big deal. They create an environment where violence against women is acceptable.
“Football clubs and sporting clubs, they have such a big impact on society,” she said. “It is part of our role to try and have a positive influence.”
The Carlton Respects program is intended to foster an inclusive, safe and creative environment for young boys and girls. Here, they can freely explore and question narrow gender roles. By engaging with children at a formative age, the initiative aims to instill values of respect and equality that can help reshape societal attitudes over time.
We’re glad to have Carlton deeply rooted in this work on many levels. This Sunday, Carlton will host their Carlton Respects round as they take on GWS. We thank both teams for helping to raise awareness about domestic violence prevention through this match. It will further the aims of the Carlton Respects anti-racism initiative.
